Geek Shirt from ThinkGeek.com
Lately I have been thinking about what it means to be a geek or a nerd and what it means to use this label on yourself. I am a self proclaimed “all of the above”, but what does this really mean?
Back in high school I remember the terms geek and nerd being the last label anyone wanted because it put you on the lowest rung of the social ladder. If you showed any sign of real intelligence your were called a nerd and if you enjoyed extra curriculum activities that didn’t include sports you were labeled a geek. Either way it meant high school was going to feel like hell. I know it did for me.
Fast forward 10 years. Pop culture is replaced with Geek culture as Hollywood adapts comics, books and video games. Animator, video game designer and web developer have taken the place of lawyer, banker and doctor as lucrative careers. And being tech savvy has the potential of making you a millionaire. In a blink of an eye the labels of geek and nerd climbed the ladder and can now be worn with pride… almost.
There is still a lot of stigmata around these terms because we all know bad habits are hard to quit. Let’s look at the definition of both terms from different sources:
NERD
Dictionary.com
–noun Slang.
1. a stupid, irritating, ineffectual, or unattractive person.
2. an intelligent but single-minded person obsessed with a nonsocial hobby or pursuit: a computer nerd.
Urban Dictionary
An ‘individual’, i.e. a person who does not conform to society’s beliefs that all people should follow trends and do what their peers do. Often highly intelligent but socially rejected because of their obesssion with a given subject, usually computers. Unfortunately, nerds seem to have problems breeding, to the detriment of mankind as a whole.
Myself
A person who is highly intelligent and has a specialization in a single field. (IE: computer nerd, science nerd, etc) They prefer intellectual pursuits versus social ones and tend to mingle with others that are interested in there field. Nerds may have a tendency to become intellectual snobs.
GEEK
Dictionary.com
–noun
1. a peculiar or otherwise dislikable person, esp. one who is perceived to be overly intellectual.
2. a computer expert or enthusiast (a term of pride as self-reference, but often considered offensive when used by outsiders.)
3. a carnival performer who performs sensationally morbid or disgusting acts, as biting off the head of a live chicken.
Urban Dictionary
Not to be confused with Nerd. A geek does not have to be smart, a Geek is someone who is generally not athletic, and enjoys Video Games; Comic Books; being on the internet, and etc.
Myself
People who are enthusiastic about a single or variety of interests that generally revolve around technology, art, writing or media. Geeks tend to be obsessive over their interests and will attempt to immerse their life with it. Geeks are generally social and want to share their obsession with others or socialize with like-minded people (hence conventions).
When I first looked up the definition on dictionary.com I was saddened by the negativity that shone through. To me this is an old-fashioned view of the terminology and was happier with the many definitions found on urbandictionary.com. I added my own thoughts as well but it was coming from a land of stereotype and I know not everyone who categorizes themselves with these labels will agree. God know I’ve gotten into many a debate about this exact topic.
So, what does this all mean? Honestly, nothing at all. These words are just that – words. Just because I call myself a “Geeky Nerd” doesn’t mean I must adhere to even my own definition. The reason I use the term at all is because it has become so engrained in my vocabulary I don’t know what else to use. Actually I do know… I am me.
